The film daily year book of motion pictures (1928)

DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS HA VAN A Artistas Unidos, S. A., Rafael Maria de Labra, 39. Cia. Cinematografica Cubana, Virtudes 36. First Nat'l Pictures (Cuba), Estrada Palma 59. Fox Film de Cuba, Rafael Maria de Labra 73. Medal Film Co., Estrada Palma 92a. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Calle Industria 80. Paramount Films of Cuba, S. A., Estrada Palma 112. Universal Pictures Corp. of Cuba, Apartado 200, San Lazaro 196. CZECHOSLOVAKIA Agitation — None. Contingent was threatened. Economic Conference in Geneva, which frowned on unnatural trade barriers, ended agitation. Censorship — Very rigid. Under direction of the Minister of Interior Board of Censors consist of 12 members; 1703 films censored in 1926; 902 American ; 343 German. Competition — American, 50% ; Germany next. Copyright Relations — Mutual declarations of reciprocity exchanged between Czechoslovakia and the United States on April 27, 1927, by which the citizens of one country are assured full copyright protection in the territory of the other country. Effective March 1, 1927, under U. S. Copyright Act of 1909 and the Czechoslovakian copyright law of Nov. 24, 1925. Production— Three companies established at Prague capable of making 40 to 50 features yearly. Twelve features produced in 1927 and about 93 educationals and scenics. Lamac Production Co. and A. B. Alsiove Filmove Toverany are two important units. Taxes — -Very high. Theaters — 1,100; Prague, 101. The Sokol, an association formed to advance physical culture, is exhibiting films in many towns, although it operates no theaters of its own. Imports from U. S. A. — 1923— 300,000 ft.; value $12,000. 1924— 400,000 ft.; value $12,500. 1925— 1,200,000 ft.; value $30,000. 1926 — 1,820,310 ft.; value $45,683. 1927— 1,483,940 ft.; value $33,751. Exports to U. S. A. — 1923—13,000 ft.; value $12,573. 1925— 1,000 ft.; value $15. 1926— 4,113 ft.; value $504. 1927— 16,129 ft.; value $367. General — <In May, Czechoslovakia and the American Government exchanged mutual declarations of reciprocity in copyright relations effective as of March 1, 1927, the date upon which the new Czechoslovak copyright law went into effect. Infringement is not only a civil but a criminal offense. Any pirated prints in circulation prior to March 1, and which were considered lawful at that time, may continue to be sold and exhibited, the Dept. of Commerce at Washington held. The Theater Owners' Ass'n of Prague met in October to discuss tax reduction and a change in the present licensing system, which necessitates renewing licenses every year. The Ministry of Commerce promised to comply. Regarding production. Five reelers are turned out for less than $6,000. Actors' salaries vary from $3 for feature players to approximately $15 for stars, per day. DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS PRAGUE American Film Co., Stepanska 57. Apollo Film, U Pujcovny 4. Biografia, Nekazanka 1. Centro Film, Moravska 40. Chicago Film, Vodickova 704. Deglove, Bratri, Stepanska 57, Palais Lucerne. Elekta Film, Narodni tr. 26. Elpe Filmatelier Kavalirka. Etaocila Film. Fanamet Film A. G., Palais Avion. Fery Film, Vodickova 3. Fox Film Corp., Poric 15. Gaumont. Leon, Jungmanova 17. (Iloria Film, Manesova 20. Uarth, S. Continentale, U. Pujcovny 953. ' Interfilm Kraus & Co., Krakovska 7. Iris Film, Ripska 24. Jowa Film, Teplitz-Schonau. Kinema, Vodickova 41. Kino Film, Havlickova 2'5. Kinopleia, Legerova 68. La Tricolore, Vaclavske 18. Lloyd Film, Perstyn 12. Lyra Film, Husova 2. Lucerna Film cp. 704. Merley, Smecky 26. Moldavia Film U. Pujcovny 4. Ocean Film, Narodni 25. Pan Film, G.m.bH., Smecky 26. Producers Distributing G.m.b.H., Havlickovo 24. Projektor, Zborovska 66. Republik Film, Poric 18. Ringler Film, Havlickova 8. Schmitt, Julius, Stepanska ul. 55. Singer & Co., Karlova trida 51. Slavia Film A. G., Lvovska 3. Star Film, Orebitska 13. Standart Film, Vaclavske 7. Sveto Film, Vaclavske 68. Ufa Film, Vaclavske 1, Palais Koruna. United Artists, Nekazanka 2. Universal Film, Hyberska 9. Wolfram Film, Stepanska 55-11. DENMARK Agitation — None. Censorship — Very strict, pictures divided in two classes, for children under 16 and those over that age; 1168 films censored in 1926; 621 were American, of which 381 were features. Approximately 10% of all feature films censored are prohibited to children. Competition — 65% American; Denmark, second; Germany, third. Copyright Relations — Established by Presidential Proclamation May 8, 1893, extended April 9, 1910, and Dec. 9, 1920. Production — 12 pictures in 1926; probably 10 for 1927 ; 3 producers: A/S Nordisk Film; A/S Fotorama ; A/S Palladium. Nordisk Film has made recent tie-up with English interests. Taxes — Very high and are imposed upon every branch of the industry. Amusement tax is 40%. Theaters— 300. Copenhagen, 41. Imports from U. S. A. — 1923— 3,100,000 ft.; value $140,000. 1924— 2,500,000 ft.; value $110,000. 1925— 3,075,000 ft.; value $115,000. 1926— 3,175,183 ft.; value $107,165. 1927— 2,707,675 ft.; value $ 66,540. Exports to U. S. A. — 1923— 55,000 ft.; value $ 3,000. 1924 — 23,000 ft.; value $ 1,000. 1925— 70,000 ft.; value $ 4,000. 1926— 50,728 ft.; value $ 2,551. 1927— 21,853 ft.; value $13,912. General — An idea of the difficulties of exhibitors in Denmark. Fifty per cent of all amusement taxes were paid by picture theaters during 1924-25. During this period a total of 8,500,000 crowns was paid into the treasury compared to 7,600,000 crowns during the previous fiscal year, an increase of nearly 13%. This increase resulted in greater returns from film houses, which paid 25 per cent more in taxes than during the previous year. DISTRIBUTORS AND IMPORTERS COPENHAGEN A/B First National Pictures of Denmark Ltd., Hammerichsg. 14. Ambos Film, Studiestr. 48. Ars Film, Raadhusplads. A/S Baltic Films Co., Husumsgade 1. Continental Film Agency, Raadhuspladsen 37. Crone Films and Trading Co., Lille Kongensg. 33. Danmark Film Co.. Gammelstorv. 10. Dansk Svensk Films S. A., Frdbergg. 16. Davidson, Ove, 4, Hambrosg. Films Aktieselskabet, Studiestraede 45. 953